What a testament to the Libertarian creed, which abhors the idea of universal health care. This loyal, passionate man, who died too young, left his family a debt of $400,000 in medical bills.
Who knows whether he put off getting treatment for the pneumonia that killed him because he was uninsured.
Kent Snyder did some amazing work on the Ron Paul Campaign and is remembered as a "libertarian giant"- by Lew Rockwell, on the libertarian site, Lew Rockwell.com.
The Wall Street journal reports that Kent, more than anyone else, persuaded Ron Paul to run for president. And Kent, according the the WSJ, developed what "ultimately became a $35 million operation with 250 employees that helped deliver more than one million votes for the Texas congressman's bid in the Republican nominating contest."-
Ron Paul posted this message about Snyder on his website: ""Like so many in our movement, Kent sacrificed much for the cause of liberty, Kent poured every ounce of his being into our fight for freedom. He will always hold a place in my heart and in the hearts of my family."
Sadly, the Libertarian heart apparently does not include health care. The poor guy raised tens of millions of dollars and couldn't afford the $300-$600 a month that COBRA medical insurance would have cost.
Paul has some good ideas-- get out of Iraq, get the US out of a lot of other countries. But his opposition to government, to universal health care-- these ideas just don't work-- and his campaign manager's death makes a tragic example of it.
A website has been created to help raise the $400,000 to pay the medical bills.
Rob Kall is executive editor and publisher of OpEdNews.com, President of Futurehealth, Inc, inventor . He is also published regularly on the Huffingtonpost.com. He is a frequent Speaker on Politics, Impeachment, The art, science and power of story, heroes and the hero's journey, Positive Psychology, Stress, Biofeedback and a wide range of subjects. He is a campaign consultant specializing in tapping the power of stories for issue positioning, stump speeches and debates. He recently retired as organizer of several conferences, including StoryCon, the Summit Meeting on the Art, Science and Application of Story and The Winter Brain Meeting on neurofeedback, biofeedback, Optimal Functioning and Positive Psychology. See more of his articles here and, older ones, here.
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A few declarations.
-While I'm registered as a Democrat, I consider myself to be a dynamic critic of the Democratic party, just as, well, not quite as much, but almost as much as I am a critic of republicans.
-My articles express my personal opinion, not the opinion of this website.
I am saddened by what Snyder went through and what his family is going through now but the Paul campaign ought to pay and maybe learn a lesson from this tragedy.
Saying 'tough break' just doesn't cut it.
by
Kathlyn Stone (33 articles, 208 quicklinks, 20 diaries, 569 comments)
on Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 11:30:08 PM
A $35 million dollar operation can surely afford a few hundred thousand for the family of the man who made it happen. It wouldn't even contradict their beliefs, as it would be them doing it and not government. The Libertarian creed is just selfishness dressed up as philosophy.
Great article, Rob. Short, sweet, and socko!
by
Mark E. Smith (21 articles, 28 quicklinks, 72 diaries, 907 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 5:14:07 AM
How can the self-reliance creed gain any traction...
in such a terrible tragedy as this. He is not a martyr to the Libertarian cause, because their position is that there would be no such outcome under a Libertarian system. He has, however, quite involuntarily, put forth the strongest argument I've ever heard against Libertarianism.
by
John Sanchez Jr. (4 articles, 0 quicklinks, 6 diaries, 984 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 12:52:37 PM
Nothing wrong with Ron Paul's libratarian vision; however, there is something wrong with the healthcare situation....and socialization is not the answer.
Of course Kent Snyder put off having his "chest cold" or "bronchitis" or whatever minimzation he used because he didn't have health insurance that would have provided him a diagnosis and treatment before it became fatal. As would have an $80 tooth extraction for a 12 y.o. boy who later developed an abcessed infection that spread to his brain, required 10's of thousands of dollars in state funded care and, presumably, a state funded burial after he died. His family, living in poverty, had no health insurance either. And, again, today on ABC's "This Week" presidential candidate of this Social Darwinist Party (SDP), the Libertarians, former republican representative Bob Barr spoke derisively of "socialized medicine."
Some of my best and most learned friends are Libertarians, willing members of this SDP, who have never been able to reasonably and realisiticaly respond to just the scenario that Mr. Snyder's unnecessary and tragic death represent. Their own humanity betrays them when confronted with sick children, or good citizens, or those unable to choose "freedom" when preyed upon by cruel fate. Even the most ardent SDP member stammers, hedges, umms and ahhs, trying to find answers for those questions.
With 47 million people and growing w/o health insurance, an economy mimicing the Great Depression of 1933 when over 25% of the population was out of work and current unemployment growing, it is more important than ever that we think instead of "survival of the fitest," and make the common good our guide in decision making.
Perhaps if that was the rule of all political parties, Kent Snyder's wife and children wouldn't be facing a $400,000 insult on top of their injury.
by
Mike Shelby (11 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 21 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 2:51:39 PM
I see no flaws. I see no shining example of why libertarianism failed. The great Kent Snyder was not living within the system for which he was fighting. Within that system, skilled and caring doctors like Congressman Paul would be able to care for the sick with no concern for the federal government or its destructive policies. All I see is that the system set up by the government's central planners has failed a great man.
I doubt Kent Snyder would want your pity. He would most certainly not want you claiming his death to be proof that the cause he fought for all of his life was wrong. The man poured his heart, soul, and eventually his life into this campaign for liberty. The debt he accrued in a fiat currency of a private central bank he advocated against is completely irrelevant. His life was about much more than dollars and cents - it was about real "sense".
So while you may discount his (and all freedom loving peoples') achievements in reaching many minds over the past few years, you benefit greatly from the ideals he held as paramount. OpEdNews, despite the censorship and sometimes editorial tyranny, is a free market for ideas. You are able to keep this site running because it is an open and free system. Because of this, readership increases and the money Google pays for you the ads on the sides of articles rises accordingly. In an open and free market, good ideas, products, and systems of government are possible and profitable.
I would probably feel more outrage about this article and all that it implies, but I have become somewhat numb to the hypocricy of many of the OEN regulars. I don't agree with the editorial staff on much concerning the political realm, but this article is really a shining example to me of why the "Left" is assuredly not right.
RIP Kent Snyder, Hero of Liberty
by
Ferdinand (16 articles, 3 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 175 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:20:38 PM
I am kind off an expert on the matters of hypocricy and here there is none. Not much of empathy maybe. But bygones be bygones, a man died at 49 while vehemently opposing a simple mechanism which if in effect might have saved him and others. Moreover, he left his family in debt and his parthaigenossen cannot even take care of that. Speaking of compassion.
Libertarians deliberately exploit the problems in this society to prevent it from becoming a nation. Their perception about society is medieval. It does seem that they also practice their medieval approaches among themselves, otherwise people would push the unfortunate man to get help when necessary instead of literally expiring.
So, no hypocricy here. As I said, maybe not much of an empathy. But libertarians do not want empathy, right? So why mentioning it? Fair game.
by
Mark Sashine (46 articles, 19 quicklinks, 234 diaries, 3348 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:40:38 PM
We are not all logical, cold, and heartless. In fact, many libertarians I know believe they way they do because they truly and honestly believe that it is the most compassionate way to live. It is not a system of live and let die (or the US's policy of live and make others die), but rather a way to really live and let live - through freedom.
And why do you speak as if we are your enemies who need to be attacked and deserve no compassion? Kent Snyder wanted us out of all foreign entanglements and fought for a sound economy, doing everything he could to see a peaceful and prosperous America. Is this not what you want?
We are all in this together, trying to make the world a better place. Kent believed this could best be done through the promotion of freedom. The noble man sacrificed his life for this vision. Are you so cold that you cannot recognize a hero when you see one?
(People had better learn that it is not a good idea to anger libertarians. We can be loyal friends or great enemies. I prefer the former.)
by
Ferdinand (16 articles, 3 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 175 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 4:14:57 PM
just unfortunate. In the 15th Centrury during the Great German Peasant wars the Anabaptists lead by Munzer did the same thing: they closed their cities to all fractions and pronounced that they only had discovered freedom in isolation and untangled from the outside. Well, the warring fractions united against them and .. that was the end of the Germna libertarians. I do not want this to happen here. I just want people to acknowledge that there is no such thing as 'freedom for us', no such thing as ' no taxes', no such thing as ' conglomerate of communities'. Nations are molded. The libertarians are surely one of the components of this nation, people belonging to them canbe honest and passionate but it does not matter: this is the wrong cause. I am very sorry. I like some of them. I like their fight against the war. But whenever I hear ' live in freedom' I remember that 'freedom is different for different people.'
Otherwise I just wanted to defend Rob from the accusations of hypocricy.
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Mark Sashine (46 articles, 19 quicklinks, 234 diaries, 3348 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 5:16:59 PM
Many theories break down in practice. And living too much inside your own head can be dangerous. I wonder if this dedicated man let others know what was going on?
by
Laudyms (0 articles, 743 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 367 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:24:00 PM
Big Government is a "trickle-down" theory. Not everyone wants to be a serf of government when they finally get free of the chains of corporatism.
This essay was petty and cruel. If you had a more noble spirit, then you would have realized that he died fighting for what he believed in, and WHY he fought.
There's still time for you...... keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer. They are not as different as you think.
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Steve Consilvio (9 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 75 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 3:42:05 PM
I think Rob made two points. Health insurance is a necessity. And libertarians, or at least some who define their causes, do not make good decisions just because they espouse the liberty to do so. And maybe a little extra point could be that this is a human tragedy among many others and we needn't bother to make political points out of it.
by
Margaret Bassett (19 articles, 1263 quicklinks, 26 diaries, 742 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 4:06:52 PM
History is all about the decisions of people who are now dead. Politics is partially about analyzing history and the present to decide what the best way is going forward.
I wrote an article strongly criticizing Tim Russert after he died based on his impact on events and history. I got many of the same criticisms from people that you just made here. The proper analysis of the impact of big players on the political scene is way, WAY too important to give way to genteelness.
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Steven Leser (189 articles, 35 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 1291 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 4:26:45 PM
I went to your last article about this - and I couldn't agree with you more. I think this is actually a very dangerous thing to do, and the first person that jumped to my mind in this type of scenario was Reagan. We not only do ourselves a great disservice by lying to ourselves about the real historical impact of these powerful figures, but it can also shove the resulting problems right under the rug; often causing us to repeat these mistakes, or a failure to recognize the root of problems (removing the place from which resolve must begin).
by
Heather Meyer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 6:26:02 PM
While I am generally on agreement with most of what the libertarians have to offer in terms of civil liberties, freedom from government interference and no foreign wars of aggression it is on the economic principles where I split with them.
Let's face it, the 'free market' is utopian and in order for it to function you have to completely eliminate human nature, not all who pursue their own self interests are doing so in a moral manner, much of it is just greed and in their economic dogma the libertarians are better off believing in the tooth fairy than anything remotely approaching a free market where all will work in perfect equilibrium. It aint' gonna happen and anyone who believes that in spite of the damning body of evidence to the contrary is out there in Galt's Gulch prospecting for fool's gold.
I have found much admirable in the Ron Paul movement and consider them to be crucial allies in the fight against this growing police state but these are the things that need to be worked out after the greater menace of fascism has been beaten back.
Too bad abou the guy, he did great work but in the end he was failed not only by a system gone to hell but by a stubborn insistence in a utopian ideology as well.
The essential human services should NEVER be allowed to be privatized where they are at the mercy of the greedheads and the moneychangers who have bribed their way into the temple.
In a perfect world the commons would be protected and markets would be free so that well intentioned entrepreneurs would be free to reap the rewards for their hard work but in 2008 that perfect world is as much a fantasy as the mythical American dream.
Just my two cents
EE
by
Ed Encho (6 articles, 10 quicklinks, 54 diaries, 369 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 4:24:08 PM
He died at 49 of pneumonia? Had to be sick of something far more serious. Maybe he could'nt get insurance because of a pre-existing condition? Paul did'nt help/advise on medical insurance for someone this high in his staff?
more to this story, imo. Good luck to his family.
by
gordon nelson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 1 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 4:58:33 PM
What may work for this guy, won't work for any of us...
The REAL sad truth here is that this is an all too common story for Americans everywhere. Who can afford health insurance when the cost of just surviving is a struggle in itself? We have seniors here who are choosing to go without food so they can buy their medications, and many of them have cheaper med-costs because they have Medicare for God sake!
It's absolutely appalling that the campaign he worked so hard for wouldn't help his family out with his debt, especially when Libertarian ideals working depend upon a charitable citizenry! I suppose after the public and Paul's supporters have felt sorry enough to pay-off that debt, the campaign will say that it knew it could rely on their ideals working? It’s completely shameful. What about the hundreds of thousands of other Americans suffering the same exact hardship, who aren’t lucky enough to be connected to such a well known figure?
by
Heather Meyer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 5:14:04 PM
Ron Paul supporters did not give their money to the campaign so that it could be redistributed to charitable causes. This is the same policy he would have with your tax dollars. Supporters will likely organize something separate from the campaign, and probably would not mind the campaign giving their money to such a good cause, but Ron Paul could not possibly take such an action.
Kent Snyder created value in this world. His family will not suffer from his legacy of liberty.
by
Ferdinand (16 articles, 3 quicklinks, 15 diaries, 175 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 5:24:55 PM
...in accidental error. I appreciate you pointing it out so I can correct myself.
I wouldn't expect ANY campaign to do such a thing, and as far as I know campaign funds cannot legally be used in that way either. I really meant to say that Paul himself could've chosen to be that charitable person (personal donation), campaign workers could have held the fundraising drive within the campaign (like some people do in the workplace with the loss of a co-worker), and they could make an appeal to their supporters through their own website (the only one I see is in Paul's statement asking for donations to the "Kent Snyder Memorial Scholarship Fund" - not the outstanding debt). Instead, somebody built a fundraising blog to appeal to the public in general.
Why didn't the members of the campaign choose to take on the responsibility of freeing this man's family from this hardship, when he was so dedicated to their cause? And why should this problem that so many Americans suffer from, be left up to how well the public knows that family, the public's empathy level, and ability to donate something?
by
Heather Meyer (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 6:06:39 PM
a month after the campaign ended, he needed medical care, got it, but couldn't pay for it because he didn't have health insurance. That is not the government's fault. It is the fault of our legislators, because the US is the only first world nation/member of the G8 that does not provide health care to all, certainly a LIbertarian approved circumstance.
tragic that he was a victim
tragic that you don't get that this is what a libertarian world does to people.
Libertarianism is an un-tested theory. Thank God.
by
Rob Kall (739 articles, 3816 quicklinks, 318 diaries, 1592 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 7:23:06 PM
Libertarians and other Laissez-Fairists typically run into
these kinds of problems or dilemmas.
Someone above spoke of Libertarianism/Laissez-Faireism being an unachievable utopian ideal. I agree that along with Communism, this is so. In fact, the world's countries are heading from both directions toward a happy medium that seeks to marry capitalism with universal healthcare as well as retirement and unemployment and disability safety nets.
Europe, which is well on its way to having great versions of all of these things, is starting to really kick our (the US') butts in virtually every economic, education, healthcare and happiness measurement of which you can think.
Republicans, who believe in less government and less taxes than do Democrats, have controlled the White House and thus veto power over congressional spending and other actions, for 70% of the last 40 years. We are worse off as a country in virtually every way than we were back in 1968.
Heading towards less government is absolutely the wrong track.
by
Steven Leser (189 articles, 35 quicklinks, 32 diaries, 1291 comments)
on Sunday, July 6, 2008 at 6:54:39 PM
